My Top 10 Last Minute Gift Ideas – The Lead Up To Christmas Day!

December 21st, 2010

Every single year, I leave Christmas presents to a few days before hand, and if I don’t get them gift wrapped, I’ll do it myself the night before or the morning of!

Don’t do this! It is so stressful!

I thought I would compile a list of some different, quirky and great gift ideas people actually want!

1. 3 2 1 Water Bottle from Top3

All you need to do is pop your beautifully designed 321 Water bottle into your handbag, backpack or car cup holder when you leave the house then fill it from the nearest tap when you feel thirsty. It’s such a sexy bottle, for me, that’s grounds alone to purchase it! But there is more to it.

The easy-to-use plunger mechanism contains a carbon block filter. One push removes any chlorine, unpleasant tastes and odours in an instant, leaving you with fresh, filtered water anytime you need it.

Available from Top3 by design for $39 – www.top3.com.au

2. Janelle Bloom – Family Food & Weekend Feasts

Only days away from the holidays and special family time, the best way to plan your meals is with the aid of Ready Steady Cook’s celebrity cook, Janelle Bloom.

“Good food should be a part of every day for life it is for me and thats why I love sharing my food with you. Family Food & Weekend Feasts is full of delicious home-cooked food for every day. Its split in three parts (a little like my life) -”mid week meals” is delicious healthy food the whole family with love; ”weekend feasts” for the days you have more than 30 minutes to cook; and ”food to share” wonderful menus for simple entertaining with all the hints, tips & preparation to get ahead so the Host enjoys the day too!” – Janelle Bloom.

For more information, visit Janelle’s website – www.janellebloom.com.au or purchase at Myer for around $24.95.

3. St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur

If you’re on my Facebook, you’ll know that I constantly rave on about this stuff. Why? Because I love it! It looks amazing, tastes amazing and is a great Christmas present for your parents, friends, partner or anyone at all – over the legal age of drinking of course!

Available from all good bottle shops or online at www.vanguardluxurybrands.com.au

4. Glasshouse Scented Candles

You just can’t go past candles. Let’s face it – everyone loves them. Nothing more luxurious then lighting an amazingly scented candle. My favourites at the moment at Glasshouse Candles. They are excellent, beautiful and affordable. My favourite one is the Gold Frankincense with Myrrh.

There is such an enormous range of exotic scents – it’s a matter of smelling them all and choosing the one you think the person you’re buying it for would love most!

Available everywhere – but I choose to purchase from Bang! at 50 Macleay Street, Potts Point

5. Menulog Restaurant Voucher

Eating out if obviously one of my favourite things to do. A gift I would LOVE to receive is a gift voucher to a range of amazing restaurants around Sydney and Australia. Just go to the Gift Voucher page on www.MenuLog.com.au and choose a restaurant, purchase the voucher online and that’s it! Vouchers from $50 available.

Simple – magazine subscriptions are simply the best! A gift that keeps on giving… for 12 months!

Check out the great deals and enormous range of magazines available for subscription on www.magshop.com.au.

7. Villa Julia Cubby House

Something I would have killed for as a kid was an awesome cubby house, like this one pictured above!

Designed by Magis, Villa Julia creates the ultimate getaway for kids. This cardboard cubby house with cartoon style artwork is completed by a set of stickers including ants, birds, ducks, a dog, snake and flowers (amongst many others) so that your Villa Julia is customised and unique. Leave it as is or paint it – limited only by your childs imagination.

Available at all good electrical stores like Harvey Norman and Domayne for around $230.

9. Putumayo World Music CD’s

The top 10 list can’t excite all the senses without the inclusion of sound. So the Putumayo World Music compilations are definately an excellent gift for the person you don’t know what to buy.

Even the Aussiest of Aussies can still have an appreciation for world music. If you’re not sure which one to choose, you can’t go wrong with the sweet sounds of Paris, or España – my 2 favourites.

The Putumayo collection of CD’s are available at JB HiFi, as well as good homewares stores for around $25-$30.

10. Power Balance Wristband

Power Balance is Performance Technology designed to work with your body’s natural energy field. Founded by athletes, Power Balance is a favorite among elite athletes for whom balance, strength and flexibility are important.

I have a couple myself, and actually believe they work. I have to say, I was a sceptic at first, but now I’m thinking it really does work?! Nevertheless, if you feel better using it, then it has worked. Great pressie for the parents, or grandparents or those that need a pick up, or work out alot.

Available at every sports shop, golf shop, surf store and retail giants like Rebel Sport for $59.95.